Baseball swing improvement system

ABSTRACT

An electronic mat for monitoring a user&#39;s swing comprising: a mat; an plurality of sensors within the mat, where the sensors detect movement over the mat; a processor, where the processor provides a means to program the operation of the plurality of sensors; memory for storage of parameters associated with the operation of the plurality of sensors; and an indication means for providing a instantaneous indication of movement over the mat. In one particular embodiment, the mat indication means includes a red light and a green light, where the red light indicates movement inconsistent with the stored parameters and the green light indicates movement consistent with the parameters. The electronic mat may further include an input device for inputting the parameters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a system to improve the swing technique of a baseball player.

2. Description of Related Art

Baseball is a popular American sport that involves a game that is played between two teams with a bat and a ball. Players are positioned onto a field of play and the opposing team is given an opportunity to strike a ball, which is thrown to a batter who strikes the ball with a bat and advances along three bases and home plate to achieve a score. Batting therefore is an instrumental part of the offensive attack of a baseball team. Players positioned on the field are in a defensive mode in order to make plays with the ball that is struck into play. The defensive players field the ball to put the batter out while trying to advance along the base paths.

Baseball is typically learned at an early age by kids throughout the country. Many kids participate in little leagues involving baseball and softball, which is similar to baseball with the one difference being the size of the ball and the manner in which it is thrown to the batter. In order to achieve some success in baseball many kids, young adults and players practice their batting technique. Batting involves the swinging of the bat to strike the moving ball that is thrown to the batter. Batting technique involves placement of the feet, hip rotation, position of the bat, grip and of course hand to eye coordination.

In order to effectively hit a baseball many players spend much time learning the proper foot positioning, the hip rotation, shoulder positioning and transfer of body weight all key components in effectively hitting a baseball. Some of devices have been developed to assist in the practice of hitting a baseball including automatic pitching machines, T-stands for smaller children, stands that provide a rotating baseball on a string for repetitive swinging and specially designed batting cages that allow for constant repetitive swings at a moving ball through an automatic machine.

Although many players have an opportunity to have coaching and attend special camps for baseball instruction, others must acquire these skills through trial and error on their own efforts. One important component of a baseball swing is the movement of the feet and the stride that is normally taken when swinging a baseball bat. It is important not to over extend this stride or bail out while swinging a bat at a moving baseball. It is also imperative to have proper weight transference and body rotation while swinging a bat. It would therefore be advantageous to have a device that can measure and alert a player of their stride and feet position as the player swings a baseball bat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electronic mat for monitoring a user's swing comprising: a mat; an plurality of sensors within the mat, where the sensors detect movement over the mat; a processor, where the processor provides a means to program the operation of the plurality of sensors; memory for storage of parameters associated with the operation of the plurality of sensors; and an indication means for providing a instantaneous indication of movement over the mat. In one particular embodiment, the mat indication means includes a red light and a green light, where the red light indicates movement inconsistent with the stored parameters and the green light indicates movement consistent with the parameters. The electronic mat may further include an input device for inputting the parameters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an electronic mat for baseball batting instruction according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a mat that is utilized to measure the movement of a batter's feet while striding through a baseball bat swing. The mat is placed under a batter's feet and therefore can alert the batter if the feet are moved in an improper manner while taking a swing. This mat helps to improve the batter's technique by instantaneously providing the batter feedback on feet movement while swinging a baseball bat. In one particular embodiment, the present invention is specifically designed for a baseball swing, however the sensors within the mat may be adjusted to assist a golfer or also a softball player who may have a different stride associated with the swing of the bat. The present invention may help many younger players develop better habits while swinging a baseball bat and provides an effective manner to learn how to position their feet, swivel their hips and shoulders in unison while swinging a baseball bat.

FIG. 1 depicts a Baseball Swing Mat 100 according to the present invention. The Mat 100 may vary in size but is primarily a rectangular shaped mat with a plurality of sensors within the mat. The Mat 100 includes visual indicators green light Sensor 12 a and red light Sensor 12 b. The sensors provide a visual feedback based upon the placement and movement of a user's feet while on the mat. The Mat 100 includes instantaneous feedback for the user regarding the movement of feet and stride while swinging a bat or a golf club. The Mat 100 is electrically powered and may include a Power Cord 15 as depicted in FIG. 1. In one alternative embodiment of the present invention, the Mat 100 may be a battery-operated device including embedded batteries such as Lithium batteries that are stored within the mat to provide power for the electronic sensors and processing system within the mat. A processing system, used in conjunction with the plurality of sensors, detects the placement of a batter's feet upon the mat. A timing sequence is programmed within the Mat 100 that alerts the sensors of movement over the mat and allows the user to provide a start sequence through an input device. Once the start sequence is initiated the sensors within the mat track movement of the feet over the mat as the batter swings. Based upon parameters input into the processor the sensors provide an indication whether proper stride and foot movement was achieved by the user of the mat.

The Mat 100 gives the user instant feedback where the red light Indicator 12 b is initiated if foot movement is improper or not in adherence to the parameters input into the processor. Conversely, if proper stride and foot movement is achieved by the user the green light 12 a is initiated. Once the batter is set for a swing on the mat the reading sequence may be reset upon the Mat 100 through an input device. The present invention provides an excellent training tool so that a user may properly learn the methods of foot technique and body positioning while swinging a bat or a golf club. This ensures that the user develops better habits and consequently increases accuracy and improves technique while taking a swing at a baseball. 

1. An electronic mat for monitoring a user's swing comprising: a. a mat; b. an plurality of sensors within the mat, where the sensors detect movement over the mat; c. a processor, where the processor provides a means to program the operation of the plurality of sensors; d. memory for storage of parameters associated with the operation of the plurality of sensors; and e. an indication means for providing a instantaneous indication of movement over the mat.
 2. The electronic mat according to claim 1, where the mat indication means includes a red light and a green light, where the red light indicates movement inconsistent with the stored parameters and the green light indicates movement consistent with the parameters.
 3. The electronic mat according to claim 1, further including an input device for inputting the parameters. 